Pressure sealed packer



Feb. 7, 1961 c. c. BROWN 2,970,649

- PRESSURE SEALED PACKER 7 Original Filed Jan. 11, 1954 9 sheets-Sheet 1C. C. Br 0 vvn INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y Feb. 7, 1961 c. 0. BROWN 2,970,649

PRESSURE SEALED PACKER Original Filed Jan. 11, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 L//7a C C. C. Brown INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1961 Original Filed Jan. 11, 1954 C. C. BROWN PRESSURESEALED PACKER 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. C. 5/ o vv/7 INVENTOR.

BY a /i ATTO/P/VEV Feb. 7, 1961 c. c. BROWN 2,970,649

PRESSURE SEALED PACKER Original Filed Jan. 11, 1954 9 heetsh e 4 C. C.Brow/7 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1961 c c. BROWN 2,970,649

PRESSURE SEALED PACKER Original Filed Jan. 11, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 A.T v 67 weg Feb. 7, 1961 c. c. BROWN 2,970,649

PRESSURE SEALED PACKER Original Filed Jan. 11, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 C.C. B r 0 W77 INVENTOR.

Feb. 7, 1961 C. C. BROWN PRESSURE SEALED PACKER Original Filed Jan 11,1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 'T C C. 5/0 wn INVENTOR.

A 7'TOR/VE y Feb. 7, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY c. c. BROWN 2,970,649

PRESSURE SEALED PACKER Original Filed Jan. 11, 1954 United States PatentG PRESSURE SEALED PACKER Cicero C. Brown, Brown Gil Tools Inc, P.O. Box19236, Houston, Tex.

Continuation of application 'Ser. No. 403,323, Jan. 11, 1954. Thisapplication Aug. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 755,523

7 Claims. (Cl. 166-421) element which is adapted to be radiallyexpanded, usually by axial compression, into sealing engagement with awell Wall; and (2) an anchoring element by which the packer structure issecured to the well Wall and which also serves as a supporting base forthe sealing element against which the latter is compressed in effectingits expansion.

In such conventional packers, the anchoring element is usually arelatively complicated structure which includes a plurality of toothedslips mounted in a slip cage and actuated by a conical mandrel which ismoved into and out of expansive engagement with the slips by relativerotation and reciprocation of an operating stem which forms a part ofthe inner string of well pipe. The slip cage will also usually havesprings or blocks adapted to f-rictionally engage the well wall to holdthe slip cage stationary in order to permit relative movement of theoperating stem. The sealing element of such conventional packers willthen be expanded by applying the weight of the operating string to thesealing element and compressing it against the now stationary baseformed by the anchoring element.

As is well known to those familiar with the packer art, conventionalpackers are relative complex structures which require a series ofcareful manipulative operations to actuate them effectively and aresubject to numerous operating difficulties both in setting andreleasing.

The present invention has for its primary object the provision of animproved type of well packer whose construction and operation is greatlysimplified as compared with more conventional designs and which has highsealing efficiency at all pressures and particularly high pressures.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a packerconstruction in which the actuation of both the anchoring and sealingelements is effected by differential fluid pressures.

Another object is to provide a packer structure in which thewall-engaging slips are secured directly to the exterior of theresilient sealing element for movement into and out of grippingengagement with the well wall contemporaneously with expansion andcontraction of the sealing element.

A further object is to provide a packer structure wherein actuation ofboth the anchoring and sealing elements is effected by the creation of adifferential pressure across the structure.

Still another object is to provide a packer structure which is actuatedby differential pressure and which will be automatically anchoredagainst displacement in the direction in which the pressure differentialis exerted.

2,970,649 Patented Feb. 7, 1961 A further object is the provision of apacker structure in which setting and release of the packer is effectedsimply by the opening and closing of a valve in the bore of thestructure.

Other and more specific objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing whichillustrates several useful embodiments in accordance with thisinvention.

in the drawing:

Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, are generally diagrammatic longitudinal views offour different embodiments of well i packers in accordance with thisinvention, Figs. 1 and 2 illustrating two of the embodiments in set orsealing position, and Figs. 3 and 4 illustrating the other twoembodiments in inactive or non-set positions;

Figs. 5 and 5A, together, constitute a longitudinal quarter-sectionalview of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the parts thereof in greaterdetail and in their inactive or unset position;

Figs. 6, 6A, and 6B, together, constitute a longitudinalquarter-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 2 showing the partsthereof in greater detail and in their inactive or unset position;

Figs. 7, 7A, and 7B, together, constitute a longitudinalquarter-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 showing the partsthereof in greater detail and in the positions occupied at a stageimmediately preceding actuation;

Figs. 8, 8A, and 8B, together, constitute a longitudinalquarter-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 4 showing the partsthereof in greater detail in the positions occupied at a stageimmediately preceding actuation;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view'on line 99 of Fig. 5A;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view on line 10-10 of Fig. 88;

Fig. ll is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the lowersealing and anchor-ing elements of Figs. 8A and 8B showing the positionsoccupied by the parts when the device is fully actuated; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the sealing andanchoring elements of Fig. 7A in fully actuated posit-ion.

Each of the several illustrative embodiments comprises, in general, (1)a tubular packer structure which includes the resilient sealing elementsand the anchoring elements; and (2) a valve means operable bymanipulation of the operating pipe to close and open the bore of thepacker structure to thereby respectively actuate and release the sealingand anchoring elements.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1, 5; 5A and 9 includes a packerstructure, designated generally by the numeral 15, and a valvemechanism, designated generally by the numeral 16, for opening andclosing the bore of the packer and which also operatively secures thepacker structure to the operating pipe l7, such as a conventional welltubing string which extends to the surface.

Packer structure 15 comprises a tubular body 18 having mounted about theexterior thereof a pair of generally tubular sealing elements,designated generally by the numerals 1919. Each of the sealing elements19 is constructed of flexible resilient material, such as natural orsynthetic rubber, or other well-known resilient composition materialcommonly employed in sealing elements for well packers. Each of thesealing elements comprises a generally tubular body section 20 mergingat one end into an externally enlarged cupshaped seal portion 21. Theexternal diameter of seal portion 21, in its normal preformed unstressedcondition, is made somewhat larger than that of body section 20 and itsmaximum unstressed diameter, as at point 22,

is made approximately equal to the internal diameter of the well casingC (Fig. l) in which the packer is to be run so that the seal portionswill be in continuous frictional contact with the inner wall of thecasing at all times for purposes to be described hereinafter. The bore23 of each sealing element is made somewhat larger in diameter than theexterior of body 18 and is flared outwardly interior-ly of the sealportions 21 to provide the cup-shaped configuration therefor and adesired degree of flexibility in the Wall thereof.

Sealing elements 19 are mounted on body 18 so that the cup-shaped sealportions 211 face in opposite directions along the body. The inner endof each sealing element is secured, as by vulcanizing or in any othersuitable and well-known manner, to a metal end ring 24. Mounted on theexterior surface of body portion 20 of each sealing element is aplurality of segmental slips having teeth 26 on their external faces.Slips 25 are effectively secured to the exterior surface of body portion20 in any well-known manner, as by vulcanizing the metal slips directlyto the rubber composition ma terial of which the sealing element iscomposed. The slips will be so positioned on the exterior of the sealingelement, as by embedding them in the exterior of body portion 20, thatin the normal unstressed, that is, unexpanded, condition of the sealingelements, teeth 26 will lie inside a circle which defines the maximumexternal diameter of seal portion 21. With such arrangement it will beseen that when the sealing element is in normal unstressed position,slips 25 will be out of engagement with the well wall, such as the wallof casing C, so that the packer structure may slide freely through thewell casing, except for the frictional engagement of portions 21 withthe well wall.

The number of slips 25 which will be employed will preferably be such asto form a continuous ring of slips about body portion 20 when the latteris in its normal unstressed condition. Each slip is provided with adovetail tongue 27 which is secured in a correspondingly shaped slot 28in the adjacent end of end ring Z4 whereby slips 25 will be radiallymovable with respect to the end ring.

By mounting the segmental slips 25 directly on the exterior of thesealing element, it will be evident that the slips will be radiallyadvanced and retracted coincident with the expansion and contraction ofthe sealing element.

The sealing elements 19 are secured to body 18 in any suitable manner.As illustrated, the sealing elements are installed on body 18 with endrings 24 abutting a split lock ring 29 which is seated in an annulargroove 30 provided in the exterior of body 18. The adjacent end portionsof end rings 24 are provided with externally threaded sections 31 whichare adapted to screw into a common keeper collar 32 which encloseslock-ring 29 and the threaded ends of end rings 24. Seal rings 33, suchas conventional O-rings, are installed in the inner peripheral surfacesof end rings 24 to provide fluid-tight seals between the exterior ofbody 18 and the end rings on opposite sides of lock-ring 29.

Valve mechanism 16 includes a tubular valve body 35 which is secured tothe upper end of body 18 by means of a sub 35. Valve body 35 is providedintermediate its ends with one or more radial ports 37, above which isprovided an internal thread section 38 composed preferably of relativelycoarse, free-running threads. A tubular sleeve valve 39 extends into thebore of valve body 35 land is provided with a ring of radial ports 40opening through the wall of sleeve valve 39 at a point spaced above theinner end of the sleeve valve. A thread section 41 is provided ontheexterior of sleeve valve 39 above ports 59 and the threads thereof areadapted to mesh with the threads of thread section 38. A stufiing box 42is provided in the Wall of valve body 35 below ports 37 and containspacking 43 which is adapted to form a fluid-tight seal about theexterior of sleeve valve 39. A bushing 44 is screwed into the upper endof valve body 35 slidably surrounding sleeve valve 39 and the inner endof bushing 44 forms an internal shoulder 45 in the bore of valve body 35which is engageable with an abutment such as the uppermost thread ofthread section 41 to limit upward movement of sleeve valve 39 relativeto valve body 35, the stop being so positioned that when sleeve valve 39is at the uppermost limit of its upward travel in valve body 35, ports40 will be in registration with ports 37, as best seen in Fig. 5. Thethread sections are proportioned so that sleeve valve 39 may be screweddownwardly sufficiently in valve body 35 to move ports 40 below packing43 to thereby close off communication between the interior of the packerand ports 37, this position being shown in Fig. 1. Sleeve valve 39 isconnected to operating string 17 by means of a collar 46. The bores ofpipe 17, sleeve valve 39 and body 18 are all in communication and form apassage for fluid through the device to and from the surface.

The above described device operates in the following manner: The packeris assembled and secured to the operating pipe 17 substantially asillustrated in Figs. 5 and 5A. Sleeve valve 39 will be in retractedposition initially to provide open communication between the interior ofthe device and the exterior thereof through registering ports 4t and 37.Thus the bore of the operating string will be in open communication withthe annular space between the operating string and easing C. The packerwill then be lowered through casing C into the Well. Fluid usuallyencountered in the well will be displaced through the bore of the packerbody and out through ports 4d and 37 into the casing annulus abovesealing elements 19. Enlarged portions 21 will be in sliding frictionalengagement with the wall of easing C but as long as the valve ports 40and 37 are open this engagement will be relatively light and will offerlittle resistance to the downward movement of the packer.

As soon as the packer is at the depth at which it is to be set,operating pipe 17 will be rotated from the top of the well in adirection to cause sleeve valve 39 to screw downwardly in valve body 35to cause ports 40 to be moved below packing 4-3 and thereby close comm.nication between the interior of the operating string and ports 37. Itwill be understood that the frictional engagement of sealing elements 19with the well casing wall will serve effectively to hold packer body 18and valve body 35 stationary to thereby permit relative rotation of theoperating string and sleeve valve 39.

immediately that the valve is closed communication will be cut offbetween the sections of the well bore above and below the sealingelements and any difference in the fiuid pressures above and below thepacker will set the packer. If the pressure from below the packer isgreater than that above, this pressure will be exerted against theinterior of the lower sealing element 19 and will act to radially expandthe latter. This expansion will force enlarged seal portion 211 moretightly against the well Wall, thereby increasing the sealing efficiencyin proportion to the magnitude of the pressure difierential. At the sametime, the expansion of body portion 24} of the sealing element willadvance slips 25 into gripping engagement with the Well wall therebyeffectively anchoring the packer in place. Obviously the greater thepressure difierential the more eifectively the slips will grip the wellwall.

If the pressure differential is in the downward direc tion then uppersealing element 19 will be actuated and the slips mounted thereon willbe expanded into anchoring engagement with the well wall,contemporaneously with the expansion of the seal portion into sealingengagement with the well wall.

To release the packer, it is only necessary to turn the sleeve valve inthe direction to raise ports 40 into registration with ports 37 to againprovide communication between the sections of the well above and belowthe packer whereby the pressures will be equalized. This will permit thesealing elements to contract to their normal dimensions therebyretracting the slips and freeing the packer structure so that it may bepulled upwardly out of the Well or moved to some other point along thewell bore at which it may be desired to set the packer.

It will be seen that the above described structure provides a verysimple and compact packer construction which permits the packer to beset and released simply by opening and closing communication through thepacker between the portions of the well above and below the packer. Itis found that this type of packer acts very rapidly and forms anexceptionally efiicient seal and anchor under all pressure conditions.Only a comparatively small pressure differential, for example, about 40pounds per square inch, is required to effectively actuate the packer.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2, 6, 6A and 6B differs from thepreviously described embodiment primarily in the form of valve andvalve-operating mechanisms. In the present embodiment the principal elements of the packer structure are essentially the same as in theprevious form, including a tubular body 18a, upper and lower cup-typesealing elements 19a-l9a having toothed slips 25a arranged as previouslydescribed on the exterior of the sealing elements. The sealing elementsare secured to body 18a by means of end rings 24a abutting an annularshoulder or boss 2% on the exterior of body 18a and clamped together andagainst opposite sides of boss 29a by means of the keeper collar 32a.Annular seals 33a are provided between the exterior of body 18a and theinner peripheries of end rings Z ia-Zda to prevent movement of fluidbetween body 18:! and the inner ends of the sealing elements.

A tubular operating stem 39:! extends through the bore of body 18a. Theupper end of stem 39a is connected by means of a collar 46a to operatingpipe 17a and the lower end of stem 3% carries a similar collar 46!: bywhich the stem may be connected to a lower section of the operatingpipe.

Operating stem 39a has an external diameter appreciably smaller than theinternal diameter of body 18a to provide a substantial annular clearancespace 50 for the passage of fluid between these members. Stern 39a has acylindrical enlargement 51 at an intermediate point thereof having adiameter such as to provide a relatively close sliding fit in the boreof body 18a. A plurality of spaced apart sealing rings 52, such asconventional O-rings, are seated in the surface of enlargement 51 andare adapted to slidably seal with the bore wall of body 18a when theenlargement is inserted in the bore of body 180.

It will be seen that enlargement 51 forms a valve member for opening andclosing fluid communication through the interior of body 18a between theportions of the well above and below the packer structure.

Sleeves 53 and 54 are secured respectively to the upper and lower endsof body 18a and are provided with bayonet-type or J-slots 55 and 56,respectively, the open legs 57 and 58 of which open to the outer ends ofthe respective sleeves. Upper and lower collars 46a and 46b carryradially projecting lugs 59 and 69, respectively, which are receivablein the respective J-slots 55 and 56, for releasably locking the valvemember 51 in either open or closed position as will be describedhereinafter. A plurality of radial ports 61 are provided in the wall ofsleeve 53 below J-slot 55 to permit more ready passage of fluid betweenannular space 50 and the exterior of the packer. A plurality of radialfluid vent ports 62 provide communication between annular space 50- andthe exterior of the packerthrough boss 29a and collar 3201. It will beunderstood that the seal portions 21a of sealing elements 19a will havea nominal unstressed diameter which, as in the previously describedembodiment, will be in continuous frictional contact with the well wallwhich may be the casing C.

In operation, the packer, assembled as shown in Figs. 6, 6A and 613,will be lowered in the well with lower J-lug 6%) locked in J-slot 56, asshown in Fig. 6B. This will hold valve member 51 in the open positionabove and out of the bore of body 13a, leaving annular space 56 open forpassage of fluid displaced by the structure as it is lowered in the wellbore. The resistance oflered by the frictional engagement of the sealingelements 19a with the well wall will serve to keep lugs 69 pushingdownwardly against the bottom of the closed leg of the J-slot as theoperating stem is lowered.

When the setting point has been attained, the operating stem will berotated in a direction to move lugs out of the closed legs of theJ-slots into the open legs 58 freeing the operating stem for downwardmovement relative to the packer structure. The frictional engagement ofsealing elements 19a with the well wall will hold the packer structurestationary to permit these relative movements of the operating stem. Theoperating stem is then lowered sufficiently to insert valve member 51into the bore of body 18a. As soon as entry of the valve member iseffected, communication will be cut off between the portions of the wellbore above and below the packer and any differential pressure willinstantly become eficctive to actuate the sealing and anchoring elementsof the packer in exactly the same manner as previously described. Fig. 2illustrates the structure in the closed or set position.

The distance between valve member 51 and J-lugs 59 will be made suchthat when the operating stem is lowered sufficiently to bring the J-lugsinto engagement with J-slot 55, valve member 51 will be centeredopposite boss 29a (Fig. 2), which is at approximately the center of thepacker structure. In this position, vent ports 62 serve to vent anyfiuid which might be trapped between packing rings 52.

As noted, this embodiment is operated simply by lowering and raising theoperating stem, by which the bore of body 18a may be closed or opened asdesired to set or release the packer.

Figs. 3, 7, 7A, 7B, and 12 illustrate another embodiment differing fromthe previously described embodiments primarily in the form of thesealing elements.

In this embodiment, the packer structure includes the tubular body onthe exterior of which are mounted a pair of generally tubular sealingelements, designated generally by the numerals 66- 66. Each of thesealing elements 66 is constructed of flexible resilient material moldedto form a pair of end sections 67 of generally axially straight form anda medial section 63 which, in its unstressed condition, is larger indiameter externally than end section 67 and is also enlarged internallyto define a chamber 69 between the exterior of body 65 and the innerwall of the sealing element. lorts 70 extend through the wall of body 65to provide communication between the bore of body 65 and the interior ofchamber 69. End rings '71--7l are fixedly secured to the opposite endsof each sleeve member. The end rings 7li'7ll on the adjacent ends of thesealing elements are secured against the opposite ends of an externalshoulder ring 72 and to the exterior of body 65 by means of a lockingcollar 73, very much as in the previously described embodiments. Theouter ends of the sealing elements are also secured to metal end rings7171 which are secured to the exterior of body 65 in any suitablemanner, as by means of the threaded lock ring-s 7474. A seal ring 75 isdisposed between the exterior of body 65 and the bore of each of the endrings 71 to form fluidtight seals for both ends of each of the sealingelements 66.

Toothed slip segments 76 are mounted on the exterior surfaces of each ofthe straight end sections 67 of the sealing elements in substantiallythe same manner as in the previously described embodiments and functionsimilarly. It will be understood that the normal unstressed externaldiameter of enlarged section 68 of the sealing elements will be such asto provide continuous frictional engagement with the wall of the wellinto which the structure is to be inserted. In the unstressed positionof the sealing elements, slip segments 76 will be positioned inside thecircle defining the maximum external diameter of section 68 of thesealing element.

The valve and operating elements employed with the embodiment of Figs.3, 7, 7A, 7B, and 12 may be, as will be evident from these figures,substantially identical with that illustrated in Figs. 2, 6, 6A and 6B,and described above. Because of the substantial identity of these partsthey are designated by the same numerals as are employed in theembodiment last described.

The parts include the operating stem 39a which extends slidably throughthe bore of body 65 and is connected between sections of pipe string 17aby means of the connecting collars 46a and 461). An enlargementconstituting the valve element 51, fitted with the seal rings 52, isprovided on stem 39a intermediate its ends and is insertible into thebore of body 65 to close off communication between the portions of thewell above and below the packer. The opposite ends of body 65 carry theupper and lower sleeves 53 and 54, respectively, having the J-slots 55and 56, respectively, adapted to receive the J-lugs 59 and 60 mounted oncollars 46a and 46b, respectively.

The operation of this embodiment is substantially the same as in thelast-described embodiment. Fig. 3 shows the parts of the device in theunset position being lowered in the well. At the setting point stem 39ais lowered through body 65 so that valve member will seal the bore ofthe body, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 12. The packer structurewill, of course, be held stationary relative to the operating stem bythe frictional engagement of sections 68 of the sealing elements withthe well wall. As soon as closing of the bore of body 65 is thuseffected, the differential pressure between the portion of the wellabove and below the packer will become effective to. actuate the sealingand anchoring elements of the packer. If the differential pressure is inthe upward direction, this pressure will be transmitted through theportion of annular space 50 below valve element 51 and thence throughports 70 into chamber 69 in the lower sealing element 66. Thedifferential pressure will expand the latter, tightening the sealingengagement of section 68 with the well wall while, at the same time,expanding end sections 67 sufliciently to drive slips 76 into grippingengagement with the well wall to thereby securely anchor the packer tothe well wall. If the differential pressure is in the downwarddirection, the upper sealing and anchoring elements will be similarlyactuated. Figs. 4, 8, 8A, 8B and 11 illustrate a modification of theembodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, in which a cup-type sealing elementidentical with sealing elements 19 and 19a of Figs. 1 and 2 is combinedwith a pair of the sleevetype sealing elements 66 of Fig. 3. Thiscombination may be employed when desired to increase the sealing andanchoring efficiency of the packer. In the illustrative form one of thesealing elements 19 is mounted on body 65 below the lower sealingelement 66 to be actuated along with the lower sealing element 66 whenthe pressure diflerential is in the upward direction. Fig. 11 shows theseals and slips in their actuated positions under the latter condition.A similar sealing element 19a may be placed above the upper sealingelement 66, if desired, particularly where the differential pressure isin the downward direction. Fig. 4 illustrates the parts in the positionsoccupied when running in the well and Figs. 8, 8A and 8B show the partswith the valve member in the closed position immediately prior toactivation of the packer.

It will be evident that the valve mechanisms of Fig. 1 may be employedwith the sealing and anchoring elements of Figs. 3 and 4 withoutaltering the important principle of operation of the packer.

It will be obvious that the packer will function with only a singlesealing element, which may be either the cup-type or the sleeve-typedescribed above. In the case of the cup-type seal, the open end will befaced in the direction from which the higher pressure is anticipated.The double arrangements illustrated will ordinarily be preferable, sincethey will be automatically actuated upon closing of the valveirrespective of the direction of the differential pressure.

It will be understood that the differential pressure necessary toactuate the packer may be developed in numerous ways well known to thoseskilled in the art. The pressure may be that of the fluids in the earthformation traversed by the well bore, or of fluids pumped into the wellthrough the operating pipe or into the casing annulus as in cementing,acidizing, and similar operations.

It will be evident that numerous additional modifications andalterations may be made in the details of the illustrative embodimentwithin the scope of the appended claims but without departing from thespirit of this invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A well packer comprising a tubular body adapted for insertion into awell bore on an operating string, upper and lower hollow annularresilient sealing elements surrounding said body, an end ring on theadjacent end of each sealing element, means securing both end rings tothe body, a plurality of circumferentially disposed slips secured to theouter surfaces of said sealing elements adjacent said end rings, tongueand slot connections between said slips and said end rings permittingradial movement but preventing vertical movement of said slips, an upperportion of said upper sealing element extending above the slips thereonand a lower portion of said lower sealing element extending below theslips thereon flaring outwardly to increased diameters greater than thediameter of said slips in their retracted positions, means communicatingwith the bore of the tubular body establishing fluid flow from the boreof the well through the tubular body to the exterior thereof by whichthe fluid pressure on the respective sealing elements is equalized, andvalve means secured to the operating string and cooperable with saidfluid flow establishing means to open or close said means whereby whensaid valve means is closed differential fluid pressure is created in thewell bore above and below the sealing elements to cause the higher fluidpressure to radially expand one of said sealing elements into sealingengagement with the well bore and to radially move the slips securedthereto into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

2. A well packer as described in claim 1 in which a fluid vent portextends from the bore of said tubular body to the exterior of the packerat a point between the upper and lower sealing elements.

3. A well packer as described in claim 1 wherein said sealing elementscomprise cup seals having their open ends facing toward the oppositeends of the body.

4. A well packer comprising a tubular body adapted for insertion into aWell bore on an operating string, upper and lower hollow annularresilient sealing elements surrounding said body, a fixed annularshoulder on said body between said sealing elements, an end ring betweensaid shoulder and the adjacent end of each sealing element, meanssecuring both end rings against said shoulder, a plurality ofcircumferentially disposed slips secured to the outer surfaces of saidsealing elements adjacent said end rings, tongue and slot connectionsbetween said slips and said end rings permitting radial movement butpreventing vertical movement of said slips, an upper portion of saidupper sealing element extending above the slips thereon and a lowerportion of said lower sealing element extending below the slips thereonflaring outwardly to increased diameters greater than the diameter ofsaid slips in their retracted positions, means communicating with thebore of the tubular body establishing fluid flow from the bore of thewell through the tubular body to the exterior thereof by which the fluidpressure on the respective sealing elements is equalized, and valvemeans secured to the operating string and cooperable with said fluidflow establishing means to open or close said means whereby when saidvalve means is closed differential fluid 'pressure is created in thewell bore above and below the sealing elements to cause the higher fluidpressure to radially expand one of said sealing elements into sealingengagement with the well bore and to radially move the slips securedthereto into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

5. A well packer comprising a tubular body adapted for insertion into awell bore on an operating string, upper and lower hollow annularresilient sealing elements surrounding said body, said sealing elementcomprising cup seals having their open ends facing toward opposite endsof the body, an end ring on the adjacent end of each sealing element,means securing both end rings to the body, a plurality ofcircumferentially disposed slips secured to the outer surfaces of saidsealing elements adjacent said end rings, tongue and slot connectionsbetween said slips and said end rings permitting radial movement butpreventing vertical movement of said slips, the upper end portion ofsaid upper sealing element and the lower end portion of said lowersealing element flaring outwardly to increased diameters greater thanthe diameter of said slips in their retracted positions, means includingradial openings through the wall of the body above the upper sealingelement communicating with the bore of the tubular body establishingfluid flow from the bore of the well through the tubular body to theexterior thereof by which the fluid pressure on the respective sealingelements is equalized, and sleeve valve means secured to the operatingstring and threadedly connected to the body cooperable with saidopenings to open or close the same in response to rotation of the valvemeans relative to the body, whereby when said openings are closeddifierential fluid pressure is created in the well bore above and belowthe sealing elements to cause the higher fluid pressure to radiallyexpand one of said sealing elements into sealing engagement with thewell bore and to radially move the slips secured thereto into anchoringengagement with the wall of the well bore.

6. A well packer comprising a tubular body adapted for insertion into awell bore on an operating string,

, movement but preventing vertical movement of said slips, an upperportion of said upper sealing element extending above the slips thereonand a lower portion of said lower sealing element extending below theslips thereon flaring outwardly to increased diameter-s greater than thediameter of said slips in their retracted positions, means communicatingwith the bore of the tubular body establishing fluid flow from the boreof the well through the tubular body to the exterior thereof by whichthe fluid pressure on the respective sealing elements is equalized, andvalve means secured to the operating string and cooperable with saidfluid flow establishing means to open or close said means whereby whensaid valve means is closed differential fluid pressure is created in thewell bore above and below the sealing elements to cause the higher fluidpressure to radially expand one of said sealing elements into sealingengagement with the well bore and to radially move the slips securedthereto into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

7. A well packer as described in claim 6 in which a fluid vent portextends from the bore of said tubular body through said shoulder andthrough said keeper collar to the exterior of the packer between saidupper and lower sealing elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,194,331 Storm Mar. 19, 1940 2,343,076 Otis Feb. 29, 1944 2,373,005Baker Apr. 3, 1945 2,379,079 Hayward June 26, 1945 2,578,900 Ragan Dec.18, 1951 2,585,706 Ware Feb. 12, 1952 2,618,345 Tucker Nov. 18, 19522,691,418 Connolly Oct. 12, 1954 2,704,579 Brown Mar. 22, 1955

